Six-year-old George listened very attentively to his pastor’s sermon. As he and his father were leaving the church, he said, “Pastor, I heard you say that I should love my enemies. I’m only six, and I don’t have any. But I imagine that I’ll have some next year when I’m seven.”  

Individuals tend to become enemies when they cannot agree on an issue or a course of action or a goal. Their differences become insurmountable, positions harden, and opinions become set in stone. We might well say that enemies are “made.” Unfortunately, it is easy to make them, and - once made - they usually last a lifetime. 

On the other hand, friendships are formed when individuals have common likes and dislikes, goals and values. Friends have “common denominators” that draw them together and provide a sense of mutual trust. This fact is emphasized in Proverbs: “A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in times of need.”  

Perhaps the most significant benefit of friendship is loyalty - standing with or alongside someone when they are enduring times of distress or disappointment, sickness or struggles that never seem to end. When there are “calm seas and gentle winds” carrying us along life’s journey, we can pretty much make it on our own. 

But, when the waves are crashing and the winds are howling - that’s when we realize the need for a friend and the true meaning of loyalty. There is nothing more valuable than a friend. We need to make them before we need them. Remember, it takes a friend to become a friend!  

Prayer:  Help us, Lord, to reach out and make friends with those who are our sisters and brothers in Christ so that we may grow together in loyalty and service. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Scripture For Today: A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. Proverbs 17:17 

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Six-year-old George listened very attentively to his pastor’s sermon. As he and his father were leaving the church, he said, “Pastor, I heard you say that I should love my enemies. I’m only six, and I don’t have any. But I imagine that I’ll have some next year when I’m seven.”  

Individuals tend to become enemies when they cannot agree on an issue or a course of action or a goal. Their differences become insurmountable, positions harden, and opinions become set in stone. We might well say that enemies are “made.” Unfortunately, it is easy to make them, and - once made - they usually last a lifetime. 

On the other hand, friendships are formed when individuals have common likes and dislikes, goals and values. Friends have “common denominators” that draw them together and provide a sense of mutual trust. This fact is emphasized in Proverbs: “A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in times of need.”  

Perhaps the most significant benefit of friendship is loyalty - standing with or alongside someone when they are enduring times of distress or disappointment, sickness or struggles that never seem to end. When there are “calm seas and gentle winds” carrying us along life’s journey, we can pretty much make it on our own. 

But, when the waves are crashing and the winds are howling - that’s when we realize the need for a friend and the true meaning of loyalty. There is nothing more valuable than a friend. We need to make them before we need them. Remember, it takes a friend to become a friend!  

Prayer:  Help us, Lord, to reach out and make friends with those who are our sisters and brothers in Christ so that we may grow together in loyalty and service. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Scripture For Today: A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. Proverbs 17:17 

Were you helped by today's devotional? Leave a comment and let us know!

Years ago I read a book entitled, “A Friend is Someone Who Likes You.” Never mind the word love in the title of the book or in the mind of the author. The message the author wanted his readers to understand is that love is an obligation for Christians but to like someone, well, that’s a choice.

The book makes it clear that we all do things that are difficult for others to accept - especially those who know us best. But to get above strange differences and ugly habits and accept others as they are - that is “true” friendship. And when things go awry, it doesn’t matter. They are to be overlooked. A friend willingly overlooks the worst in a friend and is always ready to lend a hand.

Is that not the way we Christians are to treat each other? I recently heard someone say, “Well, I love them enough to get into heaven, but that does not mean I have to like them for the way they are and act.” Oh yes, it does.

There are different ways of understanding what Solomon meant when he wrote: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” In the Hebrew text “One who loves at all times” comes first and is then followed by “friend.” The idea that Solomon wants us to understand is that friends can do by choice what is to be expected at all times of family members.

When we enter into times of adversity, when one’s world is turned upside down, when life no longer makes sense, strong human relationships - friendships - are critical. And a true friend loves us through it all, no matter what.

Prayer:  Father, help us to cultivate friends who will be with us “through it all” and like us as well as love us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

Six-year-old George listened very attentively to his pastor’s sermon. As he and his father were leaving church he said, “Pastor, I heard you say that I should love my enemies. I’m only six and I don’t have any. But I hope to have some next year when I’m seven.”

Individuals tend to become enemies when they cannot agree on an issue or a course of action or a goal. The differences become insurmountable, positions harden and opinions become set in stone. We might well say that enemies are “made.” Unfortunately, it is easy to make them and they usually last a life time.

On the other hand, friendships are formed when individuals have common likes and dislikes, goals and values. There are “common denominators” that draw them together and a sense of mutual trust. And we read in Proverbs, “A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in times of need.”

Perhaps the greatest part of friendship is loyalty – standing with or along side of someone when they are enduring times of distress or disappointment, sickness or struggles that never seem to end. When there are “calm seas and gentle winds” carrying us along life’s journey, we can pretty much make it on our own.

But when the waves are crashing and the winds are howling – that’s when we discover the true meaning of friendship and loyalty. There seems to be nothing as valuable as a friend. We need to make more of them!

Prayer: Help us, Lord, to reach out and make friends with those who are our sisters and brothers in Christ so that we may grow together in loyalty and service. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.